6 Christian Millionaires That Are Changing the World

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

God wants us to help make the world a better place. Through giving back, volunteering, and the like God is able to work through us to show others the power of His love. Through Him, the world doesn't have to be such a bleak place. It’s more than just about monetary donations – it’s about seeing that there are devastating issues in this world that can be solved if we put in the effort.

These Christian millionaire celebrities recognize that fact. They are letting God take the wheel of their lives and use their platform to reach millions. They are helping people to improve their lives from starting small the small towns they grew up to creating worldwide initiatives.

Bono

JStone / Shutterstock.com

U2's star Bono is well known for being a Christian in Hollywood. He has won over 20 Grammy Awards and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Even with all the musical success, Bono is someone who wants to glorify Jesus. Bono extends his philanthropic efforts outside of his home in Ireland, focusing mainly on issues in Africa. Bono co-founded Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa (DATA) which addresses major issues facing the continent and helps move it forward to becoming more developed. Many will also remember in the 2000s when Bono partnered up with Apple to give back to the (RED) campaign, which raised money for the United Nations Foundation’s Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. There are no signs that Bono will stop donating to these causes anytime soon.

Dolly Parton

Tinseltown/ Shutterstock.com

Dolly Parton is a deeply spiritual Christian, which can be seen throughout much of her music. Parton was able to use her platform as a singer to share the love of God and bring it into the mainstream. Aside from being an inspiration to others for her faith, she is also one to give back in legendary ways. Over the years, Parton has done things like support the United Way and the Save the Music Foundation, donated items to charity, and participated in the Make-a-Wish program. One of the organizations Parton is most proud of is the Imagination Library, which provides a free book to children once a month from the time they are born until they head to school. She originally only launched the program in Tennessee, but it has now grown to be a worldwide success. In 1988 she also formed the Dollywood Foundation, which was launched to help decrease high school dropout rates in Parton's home country. It has now expanded into greater works like the My People Fund.

Jane Fonda

Public Domain

Actress Jane Fonda has been an A-list star for decades, but that spotlight has only helped her grow as a person. In 2001, Fonda embraced Christianity after her marriage to Ted Turner ended. While she's admitted her faith has always been a work in progress, one area she's been keen in showing God's love is through reproductive health. When Fonda found out that Georgia had the highest rate of adolescent pregnancy, she wanted to do something to help. She founded the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP), which had programs such as teen pregnancy prevention, physical activity and nutrition, and healthy relationships. She was able to support the campaign through her two foundations, the Fonda Family Foundation and the Jane Fonda Foundation. Emory University is also an important site of philanthropy, and home to the Jane Fonda Center, whose mission is to "advance scientific knowledge about adolescence with an emphasis on adolescent reproductive health."

Tyler Perry

Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Tyler Perry wants to change the world for the better in more ways than one. Perry, a devout Christian, has been a great source of inspiration for new Christians. He went through a dark and terrible childhood but was able to find refuge in his faith. Perry has said he's “not afraid to have a character say, ‘I am Christian’ or ‘I believe in God'" which is huge, given how secular Hollywood is today. He's helping others see the power that Christ can have in one's life. Furthermore, the Type Perry Foundation has given back to key causes facing today's youth, such as education. His foundation also gives back to many religion institutions, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Missouri, New Commandment Christian Church, Fort Street United Methodist Church, and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in the Los Angeles area.

Carrie Underwood

Everett Collection/Shutterstock.com

Carrie Underwood rose to fame after winning the show "American Idol", but that didn't shake her Christian roots. Through her platform, Underwood has given back to those that need it most while also celebrating the love of God. She was recognized as a top humanitarian in 2014 and given the Artist Humanitarian Award by Country Radio Broadcasters. She has donated countless dollars to organizations like the Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Save the Children. Underwood also created the C.A.T.S. Foundation as a means of giving back to the community she grew up in. The foundation helps those in the area of Checotah on a wide range of needs. Underwood has used her platform to also inspire others to fight for causes they are passionate for. “Everybody has the power to do something, to be a contributing force,” Underwood says, “and I would rather people look back on my life and say, ‘She made the world a better place.’ We can all do things like that, and I believe that when opportunities arise for you to do good, you should do good.”

Bill Gates

Paolo Bona/Shutterstock.com

Though Bill Gates is best-known for being the principal founder of Microsoft, he is also known for being a Christian that does a great amount of philanthropic and humanitarian work. When Gates was young, his family regularly attended a church of the Congregational Christian Churches, a Protestant Reformed denomination. He carried his faith with him into adulthood and now is a proud Catholic. Gates donated part of his stock in Microsoft to create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He keeps his foundation transparent by allowing benefactors to access information on how the money is being spent. Gates and his wife are the second-most generous philanthropists in America, having given over $28 billion to charity. The couple plans to eventually donate 95 percent of their wealth to charity when they pass.